Arkansas softball picked fifth in SEC

Hannah McEwen rounds third and high fives Arkansas coach Courtney Deifel following a home run in the Razorbacks' game against Wichita State Sunday May 20, 2018 during the NCAA Regional Softball Tournament at Bogle Park in Fayetteville. Arkansas won 6-4 and advanced to its first super regional.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas softball was picked to finish fifth in the SEC in a vote of the league’s 13 coaches on Tuesday.

The predicted fifth-place finish is the highest in program history. The Razorbacks were projected to finish 10th last season, but finished seventh following a 12-12 mark in conference. It was Arkansas’ highest finish since the league ended the division format in 2014.

Arkansas begins the 2019 season in Lake Charles, La., on Feb. 8 against Campbell and McNeese State. The Razorbacks open their home schedule Feb. 21 against Southeast Missouri State.